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Dutch treat deceives

Discord has become a way of life within Holland football squads and I was never persuaded that the latest rifts would assist Scotland as much at Hampden Park yesterday as similar Dutch dissension aided my countrymen at Euro 96.

Back then, the challengers from the Netherlands were demoralised by bitterly opposed cliques, and laboured to a goalless draw against the Scots.

By the time they faced England at Wembley, the collective heart of the men in orange would have made a caraway seed seem like Ayers Rock. The result was a 4-1 home triumph that has been persistently over-glorified ever since.

In yesterday’s first leg of a Euro 2004 qualifying play-off, Dick Advocaat’s team were sufficiently united on the pitch to provide determined opposition. Yet Scotland earned a 1-0 win. But there were signs that they will need a bit of help in the return. Isn’t it about time the